POA warns of security danger at Broadmoor

Security at Broadmoor special hospital, which houses some of Britain's most dangerous criminals, is at "breaking point", according to a new report by the Prison Officers' Association.

The report - sent to Stephen Dorrell, Secretary of State for Health, a week ago - warns of a "dangerous" situation. Andy Gossage, who chairs the POA's special hospitals group, and the author of the report, said yesterday: "We're concerned about abuse of privileges by patients, dangerous staffing levels, the amount of staff leaving the job, and the amount of inexperienced staff coming into the job, which makes it dangerous."

The POA has asked Mr Dorrell - who has ordered an inquiry into paedophile allegations at Ashworth Special Hospital, Merseyside - also to investigate the problems at Broadmoor and England's other top security hospital, Rampton. But a Department of Health spokesman said there were no plans to do so.